Dying To Live

When Jesus said that if the grain of wheat doesn’t die it’d be alone, He was making it very clear that the foundation of a human being’s life is his/ her relationship with God. No one likes to be alone, right? People may like to have some alone time, but that is only for a small period after which they go back to enjoying the company of others.

Being alone doesn’t always mean the physical absence of people around you. You may feel alone even when surrounded by many – when no one understands you or cares about what you are going through. And inevitably, alone will be the end of those grains of wheat that resist death.

Let’s read the text to have a better understanding:

Most assuredly, I say to you, unless a grain of wheat falls into the ground and dies, it remains alone; but if it dies, it produces much grain. He who loves his life will lose it, and he who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. If anyone serves Me, let him follow Me; and where I am, there My servant will be also. If anyone serves Me, him My Father will honor. (John 12:24-26)

In this context, loving your life means loving yourself, your goals and your desires – putting yourself above
everything else. Selfishness.

Selfishness leads parents to neglect their children because they want to enjoy themselves.

Selfishness leads husbands and wives to put their own interests above the interests of the couple.

Selfishness doesn’t let people sacrifice their will to please God. Why would someone do that if his or her life comes first?

And the end of a selfish person is…

Alone.

The only way to avoid this is by ‘hating your life’, that is humbling yourself and recognising that the world doesn’t spin around you. You need to establish your priorities right – God has to be first. Only when we die to this world will we truly find life. Quality life. Eternal life.

Jesus gave more examples of this.

• He said that those who hear His word and do it are like the one who built his house on the rock. (Matthew 7:24)
• Give, and it will be given to you. Isn’t giving contrary to selfishness? (Luke 6:38)
• He said that we should bear our cross, which means denying ourselves to do His will. (Matthew 16:24)
• As it is written: “For Your sake we are killed all day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.” Romans 8:36)

Jesus promises that the Father will honour those who serve Him. In other words, they will never be alone. God will always be with them to help, protect and guide.

Dear reader, maybe you are tired of fighting on your own, tired of being alone. Put an end to that and give your life to Jesus. Submit to Him. Put your goals and plans in second place and make Jesus the first one in your life.

The moment you do that the Holy Spirit will come over you to give you a new life.

God bless you!
Pr Victor Silva
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